Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of many health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep disorders, and certain types of cancer. However, BMI is not always an accurate measure of health. Other measures such as cholesterol level, blood pressure and blood sugar should also be taken into consideration.

Obesity can have severe negative consequences on an individual’s mental health and psychological well-being. Here we will discuss a few major concerns.

Body Dissatisfaction

How a person perceives their physical appearance is called Body Image. A negative body image is when an individual’s body does not fit cultural ideals of beauty or health. People who are overweight or overweight may feel low self-esteem or Self-perception about their bodies and may as a result experience negative body image.

Research has shown that being overweight is associated with negative body image. Overweight individuals may compare themselves to what society or media perceives as thin or fit bodies and might feel inadequate or unattractive. Negative comments from others can further contribute to negative body image.

Body dissatisfaction can lead to various psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, social isolation, low self-esteem, and an eating disorder. Individuals who feel negatively about their bodies may avoid social gatherings or get involved in extreme dieting or exercise.

It is important to note that negative body image is not always related to a person’s actual weight or appearance. Factors such as regional ideals of beauty, media, Cultural factors,  and social networking sites can all contribute to negative body image.

Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is abnormal eating behaviour that can have serious psychological and physical consequences. Individuals who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for developing such patterns, which may vary from binge eating to emotional eating.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, which is consuming large amounts of food in a short period and losing control during the episode. BED is strongly associated with being overweight, and individuals with BED may use food as a coping mechanism for negative emotions or stress.

Emotional eating is characterized by using food to cope with emotional distress. The link between being overweight and an Eating disorder is complex, and many factors can contribute to the development of BED or Emotional eating patterns in individuals. It can have serious physical and psychological consequences, and individuals who are struggling should seek professional help. Treatment for disordered eating may include Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), nutritional counselling, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Supportive therapy, and medication in some serious cases.

Mental Health

Research has shown that overweight individuals are at higher risk for developing depression and anxiety. There are several reasons why being overweight or obese may lead to depression and anxiety. One possible explanation is that overweight individuals experience discrimination, which can lead to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem or low self-perception. In addition, being overweight affects an individual’s ability to participate in social gatherings and emotional regulation, which can contribute to frustration and sadness.

There are evidence depression and anxiety can also contribute to the development of overweight or obesity. For example, individuals who struggle with depression or anxiety are more likely to engage in emotional eating or find it hard to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine or physical activity. It is important to note that making healthy lifestyle changes, such as mindful eating, therapeutic interventions, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet can help improve mental health.

Weight Discrimination and Weight Stigma

Weight bias means negative attitudes and beliefs towards individuals who are overweight or obese. The most prevalent form of weight bias is fat shaming or Weight-based bullying that involves trolling, humiliating, teasing, or discriminating against individuals who are overweight or obese.

Unfortunately, weight bias and fat shaming towards overweight individuals are common, even among healthcare providers. In addition, Socioeconomic status media and Cultural ideals of beauty often promote unrealistic beauty standards and support negative stereotypes about overweight individuals. This can contribute to low self-esteem, social isolation, and poor body image among overweight people. In addition, weight bias can also lead to discrimination in employment, healthcare, and other areas of life.

It is important to promote body positivity and acceptance. Advocating for policies that promote equity, healthcare access, health at every size and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their size or weight is also a crucial measure.

Health Anxiety

Health anxiety, also known as hypochondria, is a condition characterized by far of having a serious illness, despite little or no evidence of actual illness.

Individuals with hypochondria may experience a range of symptoms, including obsessive thoughts about their health or well-being, avoidance of medical appointments or procedures, frequent checking of their bodies for signs or symptoms of illness, and physical symptoms such as headaches or nausea.

Furthermore, health anxiety or social isolation can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life such as avoiding social gatherings due to fear of becoming ill or being exposed to germs. They may also have trouble maintaining relationships or work-front responsibilities due to their obsession with their health.

Conclusion

The psychological consequences of being overweight or obese can significantly an individual’s health, self-esteem, body image, and overall mental health.

It is important for people who are struggling with their weight to prioritize their mental health and seek support. This may involve developing a weight management plan that involves strategies to address both physical and mental factors contributing to weight gain.

Some ways to for a balanced approach towards weight loss may include, focusing on non-scale victories, therapeutic interventions, Supportive therapy, Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), setting realistic goals, Self-acceptance, meditation, yoga, or outdoor activities. Support from friends, healthy family dynamics, or a support group can also be very helpful.

Weight management and healthy life is a journey and prioritizing mental health along with physical health can help individuals to achieve their goals healthily and sustainably which can have long-lasting impacts on their well-being.